As a park ecologist in the Kitulo National Park in Southwestern Tanzania, Noel Mbise (MAIEP ’14) has experienced firsthand our need for more than good policies to protect the environment. “You can’t just tell people ‘No!’ and ‘Don’t do this!’ without telling them what to do instead,” he says, and adds that people naturally tend to care more about the here and now than tomorrow.

Noel was chosen out of a large pool of applicants to receive a Fulbright scholarship for study in the United States, and the Monterey Institute's degree program in International Environmental Policy was recommended for him as a seeker of practical training and skills for innovative solutions to complex problems. “I am really impressed with the diversity of classes, and the curriculum oriented towards finding solutions,” Noel says, adding that he really appreciates the strong relationship with faculty facilitated by the small class sizes.

“I did not expect to find such a strong sense of community,” he says with his warm smile, speaking of the unique Monterey Institute community. “That has been a really pleasant surprise.”